"I thought being the center would require confidence. I was worried because I had no stage experience and there were so many visually stunning people around me. But I decided to approach it with a fresh mindset and confidence. I watched many artists perform to try to eliminate my self-consciousness and aimed to enjoy the experience. Looking back, I feel I could have immersed myself even more," she said.
Born in 1994, Park Ji-hyun did not fully experience the era depicted in the film. However, her deep understanding of childhood memories and idol culture helped her embody that time.
"I was a bit late to the scene, but I liked the music and artists from that time. Therefore, I didn't have much difficulty capturing the emotions and atmosphere of that era. I did a lot of research and tried to reference the artists who were active back then," she explained.
The essence of that time is hard to describe in words. Hairstyles, outfits, interview styles, and stage presence all contributed to creating the characters.
"As you can see in the film, I tried to replicate the hairstyles and outfits that were trendy back then. There was a specific way of speaking used by those who appeared on shows at that time. I made an effort to use that style during music show interviews. I can't take all the credit; many staff members helped recreate the background, props, and atmosphere of that era, making it feel authentic. The places I researched were accurately recreated, and I felt immersed in that environment," she said.
In preparing for Domi, Park drew significant inspiration from Lee Hyori during her Fin.K.L days and her solo career. She saw a connection between Domi's evolution from a fresh and pure concept to a bold and glamorous performance style.
"I was a fan of god and Fin.K.L. My past experiences helped me understand the film's background. I referenced Lee Hyori as a model for Domi. The character Domi and Triangle's transition from a fresh concept in their first album to a bold performance in their second album reminded me of Lee Hyori. When she was with Fin.K.L, her first album was similar, but her solo work had a sexy and intense concept. I thought if Domi could embody both aspects, it would showcase the best of both albums," she said.
The efforts of her co-stars also motivated Park. She praised Kang Dong-won's dancing skills and dedication, while noting that Um Tae-goo transformed completely on stage.
"Dong-won is incredible when it comes to dancing. I saw him practicing breakdancing and headspins in the studio, and it was amazing how quickly he mastered them. I wondered how much effort it took to achieve that. He would arrive at the studio three to four hours early, drenched in sweat, and then practice with us for another three to four hours. It seemed like he was putting in six to seven hours of practice each day. I was truly impressed by his dedication," she said.
"Tae-goo didn't show much during practice, but he became a different person on stage. Dong-won said I have a natural stage presence, but I think Tae-goo embodies that even more. I felt blindsided. I thought I could just wink during my part, but he winked a million times during the rap section. I felt like he stole my moment. He was soaring on stage. Tae-goo has a charm that rivals any active idol," she added.
Park's time on stage was brief, lasting only about two days. Despite the short duration, she felt the thrill of performing and reflected on the weight that real singers carry.
"I only filmed on stage for two days, but I felt a sense of longing. I wanted to experience that joy again. I had an unrealistic dream. The film is a product of edited footage. While singers perform without any support, I hadn't considered that aspect before," she said.
Park sees similarities between herself and Domi in terms of honesty and living in the moment. However, she drew a line when asked if she could live like Domi, citing the need for manners, norms, and order in reality.
"I think we share traits of honesty and being present. But I don't think I could live like Domi. I experienced vicarious satisfaction. Living like Domi might bring happiness to her, but I don't think she would be loved by everyone. We need to maintain manners, norms, and order. I might dream of living like Domi, but I think I embody those traits to a lesser extent," she said.
Comedic acting presented a new challenge for Park. She believes that conveying genuine feelings in a scene is more important than simply trying to be funny. With limited experience in comedy, she often questioned herself during filming.
"In all my acting, I focus on how to twist certain parts to make them different. I think it's crucial for everyday dialogue and emotional acting to appear realistic. I realized that this is especially important in comedy. Since I haven't done much comedic acting, I kept asking myself if I was doing it right. Even after watching the film, I wasn't sure if I did well. Instead of focusing on how to make Domi funny, I pondered how to make her feel genuine," she said.
For Park, 'Wild Thing' represents a significant challenge. It is not just about showcasing a side of herself that she hasn't revealed before; it is one of the most difficult acting roles she has taken on, prompting her to rethink her approach to comedy.
"This project was a major challenge for me. It wasn't just about showing a different side of myself; I considered it one of the most difficult acting experiences. It left me with a sense of artistic homework, and I believe I presented a unique side of myself. After completing it, I realized, 'This is the essence of this genre.' I feel inspired to study acting further and hope this marks the beginning of my journey in comedy," she concluded.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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